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Yes, I'm sending this out. Today.
Dec. 8th, 2010 11:11 amSenator Russell Feingold
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4904
Mr. Feingold;
I write to you today asking you to reconsider a decision you announced recently- that you would not oppose President Barack Obama in the 2012 Democratic primaries.
The events of the past forty-eight hours, in which Mr. Obama announced a back-room deal with Republicans that surrendered yet another of Obama's campaign promises for nothing new in return, and then called his allies "sanctimonious" for opposing his compromises, have made it clear beyond all doubt that our president is completely unwilling to stand for any of the issues that we elected him to support. Obama is completely unwilling to fight the Republicans on any issue- and far too willing to fight his own party on every issue.
I cannot and will not support such a man in 2012- nor will many like me. If Barack Obama receives the Democratic nomination in 2012, it is my judgment that the Republicans will win the White House, retake the Senate and expand their House majority in that election. The people Obama calls "sanctimonious" and "the professional left" will either vote third party or stay home in November rather than support Obama again- giving Republicans just enough of an edge to allow even a Sarah Palin to be elected.
The only real hope that progressives and liberals have for advancing their cause before Republicans bring another dark age on this country is that some Democrat, with a history of taking courageous stands and fighting the good fight, will put up a credible challenge to Barack Obama and deny him the Democratic nomination. This may, I admit, lead to a Republican victory in the general election afterwards; but as I believe Obama doomed to defeat regardless, I do not think there is any harm in the attempt.
The list of Democrats who could credibly make such a challenge is a very short one indeed- and your name is on top of the list. As one of a tiny minority who opposed the Iraq war, as the sole senator who opposed the USA-PATRIOT Act, and as your several battles against Obama's administration on health care, stimulus and taxes show, you are a man of principle and courage, willing to defy the party and even your party's President when your conscience dictates.
Furthermore, despite being principled, you are not a blind ideologue. Your shift on the right of self-defense and the means thereof is a clear example. You have demonstrated willingness to change your views when presented with contrary evidence and sound reasoning- and to overcome party power politics to find genuine common ground (as opposed to Obama's unilateral surrender) with individuals on the other side of the aisle.
Please consider what the past two years of Obama's leadership has cost you: a disaffected and dispirited base, a cold shoulder from the White House come re-election time, and a wave election that has (I hope temporarily) swept you out of office despite the personal approval of your constituents. It is entirely fair to say that Obama is the direct cause of your defeat- and if current trends continue, how many other Democratic lawmakers will lose their seats in 2012?
I admit that I am only one man, and by no means a rich man. My social circle is small, my financial means limited. Yet I will do all in my power to support you and to organize support for you should you consent to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. This is support that will never again go to Barack Obama for any reason or purpose. I have no doubt that there are thousands, perhaps millions who feel as I do- that the man who campaigned as "Change we can believe in" is no change at all and must be replaced.
I urge you, as someone who believes it time to end supply-side economics and the gradual strangling of the working class and the lower class, to reconsider your decision and challenge Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President in 2012. If the Democratic Party and the progressive cause is to be saved, it must first be rescued from a president with no interest in defending it. You are the best hope progressives have in the coming election. Please do not let us down.
Sincerely yours,
Kristan Overstreet
Livingston, TX
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4904
Mr. Feingold;
I write to you today asking you to reconsider a decision you announced recently- that you would not oppose President Barack Obama in the 2012 Democratic primaries.
The events of the past forty-eight hours, in which Mr. Obama announced a back-room deal with Republicans that surrendered yet another of Obama's campaign promises for nothing new in return, and then called his allies "sanctimonious" for opposing his compromises, have made it clear beyond all doubt that our president is completely unwilling to stand for any of the issues that we elected him to support. Obama is completely unwilling to fight the Republicans on any issue- and far too willing to fight his own party on every issue.
I cannot and will not support such a man in 2012- nor will many like me. If Barack Obama receives the Democratic nomination in 2012, it is my judgment that the Republicans will win the White House, retake the Senate and expand their House majority in that election. The people Obama calls "sanctimonious" and "the professional left" will either vote third party or stay home in November rather than support Obama again- giving Republicans just enough of an edge to allow even a Sarah Palin to be elected.
The only real hope that progressives and liberals have for advancing their cause before Republicans bring another dark age on this country is that some Democrat, with a history of taking courageous stands and fighting the good fight, will put up a credible challenge to Barack Obama and deny him the Democratic nomination. This may, I admit, lead to a Republican victory in the general election afterwards; but as I believe Obama doomed to defeat regardless, I do not think there is any harm in the attempt.
The list of Democrats who could credibly make such a challenge is a very short one indeed- and your name is on top of the list. As one of a tiny minority who opposed the Iraq war, as the sole senator who opposed the USA-PATRIOT Act, and as your several battles against Obama's administration on health care, stimulus and taxes show, you are a man of principle and courage, willing to defy the party and even your party's President when your conscience dictates.
Furthermore, despite being principled, you are not a blind ideologue. Your shift on the right of self-defense and the means thereof is a clear example. You have demonstrated willingness to change your views when presented with contrary evidence and sound reasoning- and to overcome party power politics to find genuine common ground (as opposed to Obama's unilateral surrender) with individuals on the other side of the aisle.
Please consider what the past two years of Obama's leadership has cost you: a disaffected and dispirited base, a cold shoulder from the White House come re-election time, and a wave election that has (I hope temporarily) swept you out of office despite the personal approval of your constituents. It is entirely fair to say that Obama is the direct cause of your defeat- and if current trends continue, how many other Democratic lawmakers will lose their seats in 2012?
I admit that I am only one man, and by no means a rich man. My social circle is small, my financial means limited. Yet I will do all in my power to support you and to organize support for you should you consent to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. This is support that will never again go to Barack Obama for any reason or purpose. I have no doubt that there are thousands, perhaps millions who feel as I do- that the man who campaigned as "Change we can believe in" is no change at all and must be replaced.
I urge you, as someone who believes it time to end supply-side economics and the gradual strangling of the working class and the lower class, to reconsider your decision and challenge Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President in 2012. If the Democratic Party and the progressive cause is to be saved, it must first be rescued from a president with no interest in defending it. You are the best hope progressives have in the coming election. Please do not let us down.
Sincerely yours,
Kristan Overstreet
Livingston, TX
